How Much Does Custom Carpentry Cost on Long Island?
Honest ranges for decks, trim, built-ins, and pergolas in Suffolk County — and what actually drives the price.
Custom carpentry pricing on Long Island is all over the map, and most homeowners can't get a straight answer until someone is standing in their driveway. Here are honest 2026 ranges for the projects we get asked about most — plus the variables that actually move the number.
Decks
Pressure-treated pine deck: roughly $45–$70 per square foot installed.
Composite (Trex, TimberTech): roughly $70–$110 per square foot installed.
Mahogany or Ipe hardwood: roughly $90–$140 per square foot installed.
Premium cable-rail, multi-level framing, built-in benches, or stairs to grade can push these higher.
Pergolas
A custom-built cedar or mahogany pergola typically runs $6,000–$18,000 depending on span, height, footing requirements, and whether it's attached to the house.
Interior trim packages
Whole-room trim (crown, baseboard, casing): roughly $12–$25 per linear foot installed for paint-grade poplar; more for stain-grade hardwood. Wainscoting and coffered ceilings are priced per project — usually $4,000–$15,000 per room.
Built-ins
A custom built-in bookcase or media wall typically runs $3,500–$12,000 depending on size, materials, doors, and finish. Stain-grade hardwood and inset doors are at the top of the range.
Custom saunas
A small indoor sauna starts around $14,000–$22,000. Larger outdoor cedar saunas with a covered entry can range $25,000–$60,000+ depending on size, glass, heater, and finish detail.
What actually drives price
Material grade (PT pine vs. Ipe is a 3x swing).
Site access — waterfront lots, narrow side yards, and second-story work cost more.
Permits and engineering, especially in the Hamptons and shoreline towns.
Detailing: picture-frame borders, hidden fasteners, mitered returns, and stain-grade finishes all add labor.
Demo and repair of existing structure.
Get a real number
We give every homeowner a free on-site consultation and a written, itemized estimate — no obligation. That's the only way to get a price that means anything for your specific project.